VA entitlements exist for surviving family members

Thomas Brennan, Jacksonville Daily News

Monday

May 13, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 13, 2013 at 5:16 PM

JACKSONVILLE — As veterans with honorable discharges pass away, many surviving families are unaware of benefits they are entitled to through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

JACKSONVILLE — As veterans with honorable discharges pass away, many surviving families are unaware of benefits they are entitled to through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

“It is important for veterans’ families to know about survivor benefits because these are benefits the veteran has earned through his or her service to our country,” said Wayne Peedin, the interim director with the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs in Raleigh.

For the surviving families of deceased veterans, there are many benefits available to commemorate and honor a service member’s military career. By applying to the Department of Veterans Affairs, family members may be eligible for a burial flag, headstones, presidential certificates and others.

“Providing survivor benefits is an obligation, and I would hope the VA would feel privileged to live up to that obligation,” Peedin said.

At no cost to the family, a United States flag is provided to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces. The furnishing of a burial flag is meant to memorialize the veteran’s military service to his or her country.

The flag is generally given to the next of kin after its use during the funeral service. If there is no next of kin, a friend requesting the flag may have it presented to them. For VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families may donate the burial flags to be flown on patriotic holidays.

Burial flags cannot be replaced by the Department of Veterans Affairs if lost, destroyed or stolen. In order to obtain a flag, the applicant must fill out VA Form 27-2008. Flags may be picked up at a VA regional office or the U.S. Post Office.

Under a program called “Honoring Those Who Served,” the Department of Defense is responsible for providing military funeral honors at the family’s request. The ceremony includes folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps.

Military funeral honors consists of two or more uniformed persons, with at least one being a member of the veteran’s parent service. The local funeral home handling arrangements also can arrange the military honors.

Headstones or grave markers for the deceased veteran can be applied for through the VA by filling out VA Form 40-1330 if the veteran is being buried at a private cemetery. The headstone or marker must be applied for by the next of kin or an authorized representative. The veteran’s military discharge documents must be provided.

When a burial or memorial is at a national, post or state veterans’ cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by cemetery officials.

By request, the VA also provides a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker. The medallion is inscribed with the word “Veteran” across the top and the branch of service at the bottom. In order to apply for the medallion, next of kin should file VA Form 40-1330M. Veterans are not entitled to both the headstone or marker and the medallion.

All veterans’ surviving family members are entitled to a Presidential Memorial Certificate. More than one certificate may be provided to the next of kin and loved ones. The certificate is meant to express the country’s grateful recognition of the veterans’ service. Those interested must file VA Form 40-0247.

If you think you may be entitled to something, look into it, Peedin said.

“Contact a local service officer,” Peedin said. “They may not be eligible, but they can’t be eligible if they don’t look into it and apply.”

For more information or for applicable forms, visit cem.va.gov/funeraldirector.asp.

Advertising

News

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
New Bern Sun Journal ~ 3200 Wellons Blvd., New Bern, NC 28562 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service